D&D 4E 4e psudeo-retroclones

[FourWinds]

Ahh, I think I understand.

Anyways, I will head over and look a little deeper into what's happening there.

 

[S'mon]

If we use protected content, we're at the mercy of a single Cease and Desist letter from WotC, and WotC is legally obligated to send them (if you don't protect a copyright you lose the copyright - it's why Kleenex stopped being a brand name, and arguably why the OGL exists - DnD was about to go non-copyright due to not enforcing their copyright (TSR...).

As an IP law lecturer, I have to say *ouch*.
I think if you are going to make and market this product, you will need to read up on trade marks and copyrights, and/or talk to someone knowledgeable. The author of OSRIC took legal advice before proceeding with what at the time was a radical innovation.

 

[GreyICE]

As an IP law lecturer, I have to say *ouch*.
I think if you are going to make and market this product, you will need to read up on trade marks and copyrights, and/or talk to someone knowledgeable. The author of OSRIC took legal advice before proceeding with what at the time was a radical innovation.

As far as I know we're intending to do it for free. And the intent is not to make something that is "as close as we can come to DnD 4E without being legally infringing" but "a version of D20 heavily inspired by the same philosophies as DnD 4E, taken to a more complete form and utilizing a lot we've learned in the years since 4E's release."

As a small example, the math we're currently eyeballing is extremely flat, powers have been reworked into a "Chapter" system rather than a Daily system, Martial Characters are more heavily reliant on stances than on powers (and currently lack Mighty Techniques, which are usable on a Chapter basis, made up for by a higher baseline damage). We have a lot of variety in structure and setup, and I think there's even room for a Vancian-style character who has nothing BUT At-Wills and Mighty Techniques.

The fact is 4E was a vision that was only ever half realized, and if all we wanted to do was make "4E, but free" we'd probably need a lot of legal advice. But as it is, I think what we're making is different enough we're fine (and if it's ever published for money, I most certainly will take your advice)

 

[S'mon]

OK, sounds good. Just a note that it is Trade Marks that have to be enforced or risk being lost, not Copyright.

 

[GreyICE]

OK, sounds good. Just a note that it is Trade Marks that have to be enforced or risk being lost, not Copyright.

Oh, geez

Anyway, we'll keep everyone posted.

Prolly need to brush off my PHP/SQL to get Character/Monster builders.